Press Release On Violence in the Country

It is with great distress and sadness that we have received reports of dastardly and cowardly attack on a bus carrying pilgrims to Amarnath Shrine, causing injuries and loss of precious lives.

This last attack is another sign of flames of violence that seem to be unfortunately engulfing the Country.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference expresses its profound pain and sorrow at the spiralling violence in our Country in recent times.

We have been equally shocked and saddened by the lynching of human beings by mobs calling themselves, "gaurakshaks." Violence (in whatever name) be it in the name of animals or of God or of religion is appalling and unacceptable. We also condemn the atrocities against Dalits, Tribals and other weaker sections. We condole the death of so many innocents and pray for God's comfort to their families.

We are also deeply worried by the communal violence that is being fanned in the parts of West Bengal and other areas in the country.

We appeal to all concerned to restore peace and communal harmony in our society. A nation cannot progress if it divides itself on the basis of caste, creed and religion.

Violence brings death and destroys lives and families. We cannot risk the future of our childred, our youth and our country for narrow political gains or for one upmanship.

Our beloved country has been known for its traditional peace and harmony and though there have been times when we have seen unimaginable violence, death and bloodshed, our society has bounced back to peace and brotherhood.

Lynchings, killings, terrorist attacks in recent times are frigthening and worrying. We appeal to all our brother and sister Indians to rise above religion, caste, language or region and to unite in promoting peace, harmony and brotherhood.

Let us remember our pledge: "India is my Country and all Indians are my Brothers and Sisters" and let us live by it.